Abstract: A ground covering mat creating a safe working environment around certain pedestals containing electrical and/or telephone equipment and for preventing the growth of vegetation around ground-anchored structures in general. Such structures include fire hydrants, pedestals for containing telephone or electrical circuitry, and gas vents. The mat includes a main body defined by an outer perimeter. The mat is constructed from synthetic fibers saturated with a resin containing ultraviolet inhibitors and a fire-retardant. The mat is resilient so as to conform to the shape of the ground for which it covers. The mat is designed to be substantially non-biodegradable. In a preferred embodiment, the mat has a concentric series of scored profiles defining successively larger interior sections. The scored profiles facilitate a user in cutting a central open area corresponding in with the size of the ground anchored structure.